NYT Editorial: McCain-Palin Have Sunk Into "Race-Baiting And Xenophobia"

The New York Times harshly criticized the McCain-Palin campaign in an editorial Wednesday:

It is a sorry fact of American political life that campaigns get ugly, often in their final weeks. But Senator John McCain and Gov. Sarah Palin have been running one of the most appalling campaigns we can remember.

They have gone far beyond the usual fare of quotes taken out of context and distortions of an opponent's record -- into the dark territory of race-baiting and xenophobia. Senator Barack Obama has taken some cheap shots at Mr. McCain, but there is no comparison.

...

[Palin's] demagoguery has elicited some frightening, intolerable responses. A recent Washington Post report said at a rally in Florida this week a man yelled "kill him!" as Ms. Palin delivered that line and others shouted epithets at an African-American member of a TV crew.

Mr. McCain's aides haven't even tried to hide their cynical tactics, saying they were "going negative" in hopes of shifting attention away from the financial crisis -- and by implication Mr. McCain's stumbling response.

We certainly expected better from Mr. McCain, who once showed withering contempt for win-at-any-cost politics. He was driven out of the 2000 Republican primaries by this sort of smear, orchestrated by some of the same people who are now running his campaign.

Of McCain's relatively civil debate performance, the paper said:

Ninety minutes of forced cordiality did not erase the dismal ugliness of his campaign in recent weeks, nor did it leave us with much hope that he would not just return to the same dismal ugliness on Wednesday.

Read the whole thing.

Comments

[AllenD]

Where I come from, we have a word for someone who will run his mouth about someone behind their back and doesn't have the nerve to say it to their face. We call that type of person a coward. McCain showed cowardace last night by not saying what he and his surrogages were saying to Obama's face.

[alexis d]

Good point. The dissonance between his polite, courtly (mostly) demeanor in the debates and the slime he and Palin are peddling on the airwaves and the campaign trail only underlines how morally bankrupt it is. They are disgracing our country.

[Paul Peete - Huffpost Blogger]

I don't get it, why do so many want to sweep the McCain Keating connection under the rug, it was merely the start of a lifelong career of selling votes and access that McCain has continued into this calendar year. Read my article on his selling us out.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/paul-peete/mccain-for-sale-to-the-hi_b_126375.html

[rpd123]

Nora Thompson on CNN essentially called it irrelevent, 20-year-old news. MSM won't go near it, but they are more than happy to continue to legitimize the farcical Ayers smears.

What's a well-intentioned Democrat to do?

[BannedInBoston]

Yeah. Something Obama did when he was 8 is fair game and something McCain did while he was in Congress isn't? Pretty much par for the course on the MSM giving McCain a pass on just about everything­....

[DragonFly]

I'm befuddled and aggravated by this fact as well.
Let's not forget that Neil Bush was very much involved in the S&L scandal back then as well.
No mention of that either.

Because there's so much in McCain's history that's damning, it boggles the mind to think that this spoiled, angry guy made it this far.

http://www.rollingstone.com/news/coverstory/make_believe_maverick_the_real_john_mccain

I guess it goes to show; if you come from a powerful enough family, you can pretty much get away with anything.

JSC - Just like - GWB

[pam45]

I've had it again with CNN. They seem to be the most unbalanced show but pretend to present both sides of this campaign. Please tell me why they always talk about what McCain must do to turn things around and win?

[candlewax]

They're bending over backwards to come up with "reasons" why his campaign is morally bankrupt and bathed in irresponsible negativity

[wretch]

do you think it a wise campaign strategy to stoop to their level in the guilt-by-a­ssociation game? especially at this point? I'm positive Obama will ramp it up on this though, if necessary. So far, it's not.

[SoupBoneJones]

People are we not tired of ignorant people in the White House? I don't want to drink with the President, nor do I want to shoot moose with the V.P. I just want to work and provide for my family. Republicans use this tactic every election. I hate to say it, but Joe Six-Pack vote these type of people in. Once they get in, Joe Six pack is still broke. If O'biden lose, blame Joe Six Pack.

As for the so-called independents, thats a bold face lie. They know dam well they've already decided who they will vote for. If people like O'Rielly and Dobbs are independents, then i'm Bill Gates long lost child. They all a bunch of clowns.

Also, people need to stop asking why its such a tight race. It's the simple fact, America is still the land of bigots such as Ann, Rush, Sean, and now Palin and McCain.

[Hawaii4Obama]

The man has lost all remnants of dignity and integrity.­..not focusing on what will remain after Nov. 4th and intent to resort to divisive tactics which speak to those who prefer to dwell on racial differences rather than our common bond as Americans.­...sad, really but rather than feel sorry for him, I now condemn him.

[redbaiter]

About Sarah Parrot, the republicans have shown their true colors to the core. A woman chosen for VP, GREAT, but why a trophy VP? It shows in that she has fully mobilized the silly neocon's manchild base for goodness sake. They are literally drooling over her square, airbrushed face. Afraid of someone who could actually be more than a parrot? And the cuts that don't serve American people as mentioned by Sarah? Bye bye Planned Parenthood, stem cell research, etc. The only American interest served will be Evangelical interest, and that folks, is what will happen. Kiss our constitution goodbye unless it supports assault weapons in the home. For God's sake, democrats, quit farting around and vote before we turn into EXACTLY what our founding fathers abhorred and overthrew over two hundred years ago, an autocratic, theology driven plutocracy.

[candlewax]

While he is having flashbacks (PTSD??) and calling Americans "prisoners" after having treated Obama with open disdain and contempt,
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYFm5kK4f1k
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufn_uA2-0Vg

she has a history of her own that needs some explaining.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eniG9l_7its

and we're supposed to be afraid of Obama?? Seriously?

[DragonFly]

"and we're supposed to be afraid of Obama?? Seriously?"

Well put!
I wish more people would really think about that.

[mdemploi]

The republican attack machine is devolving. As is, the only thing left for them to do is incite cultural revolution , pogrom.

Either the GOP dog is dying an agonizing death, or it is mutating noisily into several new political species. This cur, is still dangerous. IT is backed into a corner, licking the mangy sores of christofascism.

Don't approach this BEAST, especially if you can be categorized easily as -1)other religion 0)godless, 1) a racial minority, 2) social minority, 3) the press. You will be attacked (even if running a sound check). You will be labeled a terrorist, un-american ( someone with a strange name).

You are not one of them.

The hyperbole, demonization, lack of civility..­..

[rpd123]

While I don't disagree with you message, I'm concerned that you may have skipped today's meds.

[candlewax]

Can someone please explain to me why McCain substituted the word "prisoners" for "Americans". Is there a psychiatrist in the house?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JYFm5kK4f1k

[ThanksMatt]

Yes. I understood today that McCain was brainwashed in Vietnam. This is no joke. He was brought to the point of utter confusion where he did not know anymore what is right and what is wrong. Something is definately wrong with him and that makes him all the more dangerous.
read The Manchurian Candidate on vietnamveteransagainstjohnmccain.com .
Utterly sad but utterly dangerous for us.

It comes to me as a shock to hear this confusion in action in this youtube right today.

[BannedInBoston]

I've made this point here before too. He was brainwashed and I seriously doubt he ever fully (or even partially, really) recovered. I think it accounts for a lot....

[princessofnowt]

I heard that too-WTF?

Made me rewind to watch from further back again.

At least his daughter is showing signs that she is human- she looks uncomfortable as all hell up there- she looks positively freaked out.

[BannedInBoston]

I doubt he was being ironic. Your basic Freudian slip, I'm guessing. The man is a walking talking psychiatric disorder..­..

[w8aminute]

From the beginning of his campaign, Sen. Obama has been trying to take the political discourse to a higher level. That's enough reason to vote for him as far as I'm concerned. But the real reason I'm voting for Obama / Biden is I want the smart guys running our country instead of the angry, power hungry ones. Of course, I also like his vision for actually creating jobs while attacking the global warming crisis (I've always loved the 2 birds/1 stone approach). I like getting a middle class tax cut. I hope his vision of Social Security & not taxing seniors that make under $50K comes to fruition. I like that he has a plan to get out of Iraq. But mostly to get rid of Rovian politics and get back to "by and for the people" instead of special interests.

[fignozzle]

why do they not just wear white robes with hoods?????­??????????­???

[zenlikejen]

Good question! Considering that all of their tactics thus far have been about as subtle as swinging a sledgehammer around in an antiques shop - but actually wearing their robes & hoods for all to see? That's the one step beyond they'll save for the last week of campaignin­g......Ha!

[BannedInBoston]

That would muss Sarah's 'do....

[Synthon]

McCain's only hope is to rely on racism, and I think his team has finally admitted this to themselves, and are now going after this angle full speed ahead.

[marymansour]

Thank goodness the New York Times pointed this out as most television talking heads fail to do. This campaign is even dirtier than the one I remember being launched against Kerry in 2004. It may be the addition of the foul mouthed, bile spewing Sarah Palin to the ticket. When you put an inept old man and a low class woman on a ticket, what else do you have to run on other than slinging slime on your opponent?

[Osprey3]

New mantra: THIS ONE will be voting for "THAT ONE!"

[BannedInBoston]

Make a good bumper sticker (but most people probably wouldn't get it....)

[djramey62]

this is exactly what happens when ignorant people (McCain/Palin) are allowed to gather together. Mc Cain has made a joke of himself and this country...­I hope he's proud of himself

[PT6]

Why are McCain and Palin attacking OBAMA? To Cover-Up their much more serious problems!

PALIN is fast approaching “HER OWN DAY OF RECKONING” on "HER MISUSE OF POWER INVESTIGATION" and it will not be “Good!”

The report will be released Friday, Oct 10!

She has finally agreed to testify but that is simply another delay tactic to try and stop the Friday Report!

The only reason she and her "Co-Gov" husband are now willing to talk is the Alaska COURTS told them they have to answer questions! The same goes for the aids that refused to answer subpoenas!

McCain is as Guilty in the cover-up that has been pursued the last month and should be held responsible for the Delayed Cooperation.

McCains's attorneys have twisted the arms of 5 Republicans in Alaska to take the DELAY all the way to the Alaska Supreme Court!

This is a disgraceful interference in a non-partisan investigation!

It again goes to McCain's judgment in selecting a running-mate that was under investigation!

If he knew about the investigation why would he select her? Poor judgement!

If he did not know then it is clear he did not properly Vet her. Poor judgement!

Either way it shows the chaos in his poorly run campaign and his own Poor Judgment!

[Hatsone]

What do you expect from a guy who graduated fifth from the bottom of his class, crashed three planes and responded to his Keating 5 experience by pushing for more deregulation. John McCain is far from presidential material. In fact, he should do the country a favor and leave politics immediately!
---OBAMA/BIDEN 2008---